Since 2023, ATscale has been supporting the government of Rwanda through UNICEF in implementing a three-year hearing programme for school-aged children. Activities include screening and provision of services in eight districts, enabling access to assistive technology for children in rural areas.

Hearing is one of our bridges to the world, connecting us to voices, music, laughter to enjoy life, and the education we need to access opportunities. However, hearing impairment so easily disrupts that connection, delaying development and/or dampening many children’s dreams and aspirations

In an event aimed at shaping the future for children and youth with disabilities, global leaders and advocates gathered to discuss the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in transforming education and employment opportunities through inclusive education and access to assistive technology.

Campaigners call for policies that will enable millions more to access education and employment 

On World Humanitarian Day, ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is urgently calling for increased access to assistive products in Gaza, as the number of people with injuries, disabilities and chronic health conditions being left behind is rising at an alarming rate.

The African Union took a significant step forward last month by committing to develop a comprehensive Assistive Technology (AT) strategy for Africa, recognizing the importance of accessible and affordable AT across Africa. 

This initiative is part of a broader effort by UNICEF headquarters and ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, to develop text-to-speech (TTS) voices for under-represented languages and dialects to foster global digital inclusivity. 'Vi vu' in Vietnamese southern dialect is a key outcome of this project, which was made possible through a collaborative effort with UNICEF Viet Nam.  

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is arguably the most successful UN convention to date. Beyond 177 ratifications globally, the comprehensive legally binding international treaty is attributed to advancement of disability rights at a global scale.

In a groundbreaking move to put assistive technology on the map and raise awareness amongst the general public, private sector and policy makers, Unlock The Everyday campaign partners launched the first-ever World Day for Assistive Technology on June 4, 2024

Assistive Products Market Report 2024, a new report from ATscale, analyses markets for eyeglasses, hearing aids, prostheses, wheelchairs, and digital technology, outlining solutions to improve cost and availability.

The Inclusive Africa Conference 2024, themed "Breaking Barriers, Advancing Digital Accessibility," brought together policymakers, technology leaders, and disability rights advocates to drive progress toward a more inclusive future across Africa.

Unlock The Everyday is calling for organizations, policymakers, businesses and individuals from across the world to mark the first ever assistive technology awareness day on 4 June 2024. 

ATscale hosted an intercountry virtual learning session on March 27-28 for implementing partners across different countries and regions where we support programmes to foster collaboration, exchange experiences, and learn from each other.

Unlock The Everyday, a new global campaign backed by the Honourable First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi, was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling for urgent action to improve access to assistive technology for millions of people around the world.

ATscale and its partners hosted a dialogue in the UNOPS Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai about the largely uncharted nexus of assistive technology, climate action, and disability and inclusion. The climate crisis puts people facing vulnerability at risk, such as persons with disabilities, including women and girls, and older populations. The session brought together experts, decision makers and people with lived experience with the goal to enhance our understanding of how climate change adversely impacts people who use or need to use assistive technology.